Saved to Obey

Tyler Bowles • Associate Pastor
September 23, 2026

2 Minute Read
Scripture

Lesson Summary


When Israel arrived at Mount Sinai, God reminded them of everything He had already done. He had rescued them from slavery in Egypt, protected them through the plagues and Passover, brought them through the Red Sea, and provided food and water in the wilderness. Israel had not saved themselves. God carried them “on eagles’ wings” and brought them to Himself.

The order of these events is important. God did not give Israel the Ten Commandments and promise to rescue them if they obeyed well enough. He saved them first and then taught them how His rescued people should live. Their obedience did not purchase salvation; it was meant to be their response to God’s grace.

This pattern helps us understand the Gospel. We cannot save ourselves by following rules or doing enough good things. Jesus died and rose again to save sinners. Those who trust Him are forgiven and brought into God’s family. Because He has saved us, we learn to follow His ways.

God’s commands are “words of life.” They reveal His character and teach us the good way He designed us to live. Christians obey God because we belong to Him, trust His wisdom, and know that His ways are better.

Three Main Ideas

  • God saves: Israel’s rescue depended entirely on God.
  • God calls us to obey: Obedience follows salvation; it does not earn it.
  • God sets His people apart: God’s people belong to Him and are called to show His goodness to others.


Small Group Questions


Understanding the Passage
  1. What did God want Israel to remember about their rescue from Egypt?
  2. Why does it matter that God saved Israel before giving them the Ten Commandments?
  3. What do you think God meant when He said He carried Israel “on eagles’ wings” and brought them to Himself?
  4. How can God’s commands be “words of life” instead of rules that prevent us from enjoying life?
  5. Which of God’s commands is difficult for you to trust or obey? What would it look like to remember God’s grace and follow Him in that area?
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From this Author: Tyler Bowles
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September 30, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
No Other Gods
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September 30, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Struggling, Stammering, Stepping, Starting
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September 23, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Floating, Fishing, & Following
Week 1 Devotional Scripture Luke 5:1-11 Lesson Summary Peter had encountered Jesus before, but Luke 5 records a moment when he begins to understand more clearly who Jesus is. After an unsuccessful night of fishing, Peter allows Jesus to teach from his boat. Jesus then commands him to return to deep water and lower his freshly cleaned nets. Although the command conflicts with Peter’s experience, he responds, “At your word I will let down the nets.” The resulting catch is so large that two boats begin to sink. The miracle reveals more than Jesus’ ability to provide fish—it reveals His authority. Peter falls before Jesus, recognizes his own sinfulness, and calls Him Lord. Jesus does not reject Peter but tells him not to fear and calls him into a new mission. Peter and his partners then leave everything behind to follow Jesus. Peter’s response moves through three stages: Floating—Listen: Peter hears Jesus speak the words of life. Fishing—Obey: Peter follows Jesus’ command even when it challenges his experience. Following—Surrender: Peter recognizes Jesus as Lord and values Him above everything he leaves behind. Jesus is not only the Saviour who forgives sinners. He is the Lord who calls us to trust, obey, and follow Him with our entire lives. Small Group Questions Understanding the Passage What detail from Peter’s encounter with Jesus stands out to you most, and why? Why do you think Peter obeyed Jesus after explaining that they had worked all night and caught nothing? What does his response teach us about obedience? Why did the miraculous catch make Peter aware of his sin rather than simply excited about the fish? What is the difference between wanting Jesus as Saviour and recognizing Him as Lord? Why should we not separate the two? What could “leaving everything and following Jesus” look like in the life of a student? Is there an area of your life that is difficult to place under His authority?
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September 23, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Saved to Obey
Week 1 Devotional Scripture Exodus 19:1-6 (ESV) Lesson Summary When Israel arrived at Mount Sinai, God reminded them of everything He had already done. He had rescued them from slavery in Egypt, protected them through the plagues and Passover, brought them through the Red Sea, and provided food and water in the wilderness. Israel had not saved themselves. God carried them “on eagles’ wings” and brought them to Himself. The order of these events is important. God did not give Israel the Ten Commandments and promise to rescue them if they obeyed well enough. He saved them first and then taught them how His rescued people should live. Their obedience did not purchase salvation; it was meant to be their response to God’s grace. This pattern helps us understand the Gospel. We cannot save ourselves by following rules or doing enough good things. Jesus died and rose again to save sinners. Those who trust Him are forgiven and brought into God’s family. Because He has saved us, we learn to follow His ways. God’s commands are “words of life.” They reveal His character and teach us the good way He designed us to live. Christians obey God because we belong to Him, trust His wisdom, and know that His ways are better. Three Main Ideas God saves: Israel’s rescue depended entirely on God. God calls us to obey: Obedience follows salvation; it does not earn it. God sets His people apart: God’s people belong to Him and are called to show His goodness to others. Small Group Questions Understanding the Passage What did God want Israel to remember about their rescue from Egypt? Why does it matter that God saved Israel before giving them the Ten Commandments? What do you think God meant when He said He carried Israel “on eagles’ wings” and brought them to Himself? How can God’s commands be “words of life” instead of rules that prevent us from enjoying life? Which of God’s commands is difficult for you to trust or obey? What would it look like to remember God’s grace and follow Him in that area?
September 13, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
God’s Plan Seems Backward
Scripture Genesis 25:19–34 Additional passages: Romans 9:10–13; Psalm 115:3 Watch The Sermon If you haven’t yet, be sure to watch the sermon to join the discussion.Watch Here Message Summary Genesis 25 introduces us to Isaac’s sons, Jacob and Esau. Isaac and Rebekah waited twenty years before God answered Isaac’s prayer for children. Their story reminds us that God’s timing is not always our timing. Before the twins were born, God revealed that the older son would serve the younger. This seemed backward because Esau, as the firstborn, would normally receive the birthright and inheritance. Romans 9 explains that God’s choice of Jacob was not based on anything Jacob had done. God chose Jacob according to His own purpose and will. Later, Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a meal. Esau treated God’s covenant promises as though they were less valuable than his immediate physical needs. Jacob’s actions revealed his tendency to take matters into his own hands, while Esau showed that he did not value God’s eternal promises. The message challenged us to trust that God’s timing is better, His plans are wiser, and His priorities are more valuable than ours. Rather than forcing our own plans, we should act faithfully, pray, and wait on God. Above all, we should value the salvation God has provided through Jesus Christ and refuse to let temporary concerns distract us from eternal priorities. Small Group Questions Opening Question Have you ever had to wait longer than expected for something important? How did that experience affect your trust in God? Understanding the Passage What difficulties did Isaac and Rebekah face in Genesis 25:19–21? What does Isaac’s response teach us about how he handled their long period of waiting? What did God reveal to Rebekah about Jacob and Esau before they were born? Why would “the older shall serve the younger” have seemed backward to the people of that time? What do Jacob’s actions in this passage reveal about his character? What does Esau’s willingness to sell his birthright reveal about his priorities? How does Romans 9:10–13 help us understand God’s choice of Jacob? Growth and Application Where are you currently tempted to take matters into your own hands instead of prayerfully trusting God? What is the difference between acting faithfully and trying to force God’s plans? What temporary desires or concerns can distract you from valuing God’s eternal promises? How can you practically hold your plans loosely while continuing to make wise and faithful decisions? How should the gospel shape your response when God’s timing or plans are difficult to understand? How does remembering God’s eternal plan of salvation help you trust Him with the circumstances you do not understand? Prayer Pray for: Faith to trust God when His timing is different from ours. Humility to surrender our plans to His wisdom. Wisdom to act faithfully without trying to control God’s purposes. Greater desire for God’s eternal promises than for temporary satisfaction. A deeper appreciation for the salvation we have received through Jesus Christ.